Rotary Cutter How much weight for tractor for Bush Hog 2715?

[chevy454]

I have very hilly terrain. Do I need extra weight (add fluid to tires)for my Kubota M8540 that already has rear wheel weights and front weights when mowing with the Bush Hog Batwing 2715 that I will purchase this week?

I don't want to get pushed down the hills but I don't want to add weight unnecessarily and lose the power for going uphill either. According to the specs for the batwing it has about 1800 lbs of tongue weight.

BTW I usually drop the front bucket and add 700 lbs of front weight so I can see better when mowing.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I'm using 2715's behind tractors that weigh in @ just under 8200lbs. They seem to handle that mower in fine fashion. Never tried 'em on anything lighter, so I can't comment beyond that.

 

[Ed1C]

Chevy, assuming you have a cab, your 8540 is just a few pound's lighter than my 9540. If ROPS, the book says weight is about 700# less.

With your wheel weights and front weights you have a lot more weigh than me - but sounds like your hills may be much steeper. I have a few small terraces and gently sloping hills, but use no extra weight. I also drop my bucket for visibility. I've never felt bossed around by my 5515 that is 5,300# and has similar tongue weight as the cutter you plan to buy (congrats - you will enjoy it).

A few times going up hill I've spun a rear tire, but have hit the diff lock or put it in 4WD and I'm quickly back in business. I've never felt pushed down a hill, but again, I don't know how steep your place is.

Having spun a tire I decided to do a downhill fast stop test to help see if I was too light, but was able to stop just fine. My test slightly bent a heavy duty hitch pin, but to me was worth finding out what might happen. On hilly or wet sections I almost always use 4WD now.

I would suggest you find a safe spot to run some tests and then decide if you need to fill your tires or otherwise add more weight to be safe. Post some pics of your new rig once you get her set up.

 

[Ken45101]

Is the 8540 4wd? That would make a difference in maintaining control going downhill.

Ken

 

[chevy454]

Thanks for the input folks....I will definitely test my stopping ability before tackling the dangerous areas......BTW, I never take my rig OUT of 4wd because I don't want to take the chance that I'll forget and get on one of my hills in 2Wd and not be able to stop.

The reason I asked about the weight is that I'm going to have the dealer add hydraulic remotes and I just figured I have them add tubes (I have tubeless radials) and fluid at the same time if I need to add weight.

Like I said earlier, it comes down to making sure I have as much power as possible AND be able to stop/turn.....I can't afford to upgrade tractors....I thought about going with the bush hog 2515 for this reason, but I think it's best to go with the beefier 2715 so it will last longer. I just hope I have enough HP!!! It will suck if I constantly have to use lower gears - kinda defeats the purpose of buying the batwing!!

 

[bill in ny]

i pull a 3600# baler with a 9x18 wagon full of hay up some steep grades with my m8540. i usually use 8 weights on the front. i have the cast rear wheels and the tires are loaded with rimguard. i have to give it a little more throttle to maintain 540 rpm. i use 4x4 untill the hill levels out. she sucks alot of fuel when i work it like that all day.

 

[Ken45101]

FWIW, my dealer did not put tubes in for Rimgard.

I don't know if there are disadvantages to that approach, but it does allow the tire to be plugged if there is a leak. With a tube, you have to unload the Rimgard, remove the tube and patch it. Tubeless seems like a better way to go.

Ken

 

[piller]

FWJ says he has no problem pulling the 2715's using a tractor weighing 8200 lbs. Your 8540 should already weigh at least 8200 lbs (5400lbs base weight for 4wd rops, 7 front weights and front bumper 700+ lbs, loader 1800 lbs, wheel weights ???).

Do you have cast rear wheels, add on rear wheel weights or both? You said you have radials, which size?

Since you said you have steep hills I think you should load the rear tires, use the front weight bumper and front weights, and remove the loader. If you find you want or need more weight you could put the loader on or add rear wheel weights.

 

[bill in ny]

you can't use the front weights and loader at the same time on my tractor.

 

[chevy454]

You're correct, I'm around 8000# with the loader frame, weights and cast wheels (BTW I have the 12.4-24, 18.4-30 radials with cast wheels). As I said earlier I drop the bucket for visibility and turning clearance when I mow.....BTW I know you can't lower the loader all the way down when using weights and loader because loader won't clear weights. I lower it as far as I can for visibility. This is a hassle but I think I have a solution for that. I looked at the weight bumper mounting and I think that if I remove grill guard and then put bumper back on I will gain enough for loader to clear weights. It only needs about .25 in to clear. I just haven't tried it yet.

I'm trying to figure out in advance if I need to add fluid. I would prefer to be able to drop the entire loader and just run with front weights......sounds like adding fluid is the way to go.

What about the tube issue? Do I need tubes for fluid in those radials or not???